Dio Students Gain Singing Insight From Famed Mezzo

For Immediate Release

August 07, 2009

Dio Students Gain Singing Insight From Famed Mezzo Soprano

Talented Dio students competing in the school’s prestigious annual Concerto and Aria 09 competition will be heartened to know that one of their judges – internationally acclaimed mezzo soprano Helen Medlyn – came last when she entered her first competition.

“That was my wake-up call – finally realising how much time, commitment and training I had to do if I wanted to make a career out of singing,” says Miss Medlyn.

The Auckland-based opera singer has taken time out of her busy schedule to judge the aria section of the competition, which the all-girls, independent Anglican School is holding in Epsom on the 10 and 13 August.

Miss Medlyn says choosing six aria finalists from the Year 11, 12 and 13 seimi-finalists, who have to sing in German and either French or Italian, was not easy.

“Competitions are hugely challenging. It was great to hear and see the standard of the girls’ performances. Most of them had thought very hard about what they were singing, and gave it their all.”

Miss Medlyn, whose upcoming performances include playing the part of the Widow Corney in the Auckland Theatre Company’s production of Oliver in October, was at the School yesterday (eds note August 6) to chose six semi-finalists who compete in the Aria final.

Hers was not the only guest appearance. A Model B Steinway, kindly lent by Lewis Eady Limited, was delivered to the School for the finals and will be played by accompanist Dr Greg Neil.

Open to Dio students of singing, and musical instruments, the annual competition offers bequested prizes of up to $2,000 and is an excellent, rare opportunity to compete and be judged by high calibre judges, says the School’s Director of Performing Arts, David Gordon.

Helen Medlyn, a 2002 Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate, takes major roles in operas, oratorios, vocal symphonic works, musicals and plays. She is a popular principal guest artist with NBR New Zealand Opera among others and creates and performs her acclaimed “Hell”, caberet shows with pianist Penny Dodd.

Bryan Sayer, a former teacher of music at The University of Auckland, for 34 years, is judging the concerto section of the competition. His many accolades have included receiving a Distinguished Teaching Award for his services and being elected a Fellow of the NZ Institute of Registered Music Teachers.

Mr Sayer is an experienced concert recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician, and has recorded more than 100 programmes for Concert FM. He has given many master classes and seminars, and acted as an adjudicator and examiner throughout New Zealand and Australia.

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